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This Woman Played Dead to Survive Paris Terrorist Attacks

2 minute read
By Justin Worland

A woman told the story of how she played dead to survive Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 others in a chilling Facebook post, along with a photo of her bloodied shirt.

Isobel Bowdery, 22, described a fun atmosphere at a Paris rock show Friday that quickly turned into a scene of mass carnage as terrorists opened fire. Bowdery held her breath and sat motionless for more than an hour as her fellow concertgoers collapsed around her. “Dozens of people were shot right in front of me. Pools of blood filled the floor,” she wrote. “Futures demolished, families heartbroken.”

The 22-year-old also wrote of the humanity displayed by her fellow attack victims and first responders instead of focusing on the “animals” responsible for the bloodshed. A couple’s “last words of love” inspired her to keep “believing the good in the world,” she wrote. One man risked his life to cover Bowdrey’s head as she “whimpered.” An injured man held and reassured her after the attacks.

“As I lay down in the blood of strangers and waiting for my bullet to end my mere 22 years, I envisioned every face that I have ever loved and whispered I love you,” she wrote.

Witness Paris Mourn the Day After Deadly Attacks

The Eiffel Tower turns off its lights in memory of the more than 120 victims the day after the terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower turns off its lights in memory of the more than 120 victims the day after the terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris.Marc Piasecki—Getty Images
Bono and band members from the band U2 place flowers on the pavement near the scene of yesterday's Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris.
Bono and band members from the band U2 place flowers on the pavement near the scene of yesterday's Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris.Jeff J Mitchell—Getty Images
A woman is comforted by others outside the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015.
A woman is comforted by others outside the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015.Jerome Delay—AP
France Paris Attacks
A man places a candle in front of the Carillon cafe in Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015.Jerome Delay—AP
Significant Death Toll Feared In Paris Terror Attacks
The interior of the Casa Nostra Cafe, the day after the attacks on the city, on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris.Christopher Furlong—Getty Images
Dozens of burnt motorbikes and bikes are pictured on the corner of Albert Thomas Lancry streets, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on November 14, 2015, few hours after a series of terror attacks that occurred across the city. ©MAXIME JOUY/NEWZULU/Al
Burnt motorbikes and bicycles on the corner of Albert Thomas Lancry streets, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015, the morning after the attacks across the city.Maxime Jouy—Newzulu/Alamy Live News
France Paris Attacks
Police forensic experts work on the scene at the Cafe Comptoir Voltaire in Paris, Nov, 14, 2015. Marius Becker—EPA
France Paris Attacks
Police are seen near the Cafe La Belle Equipe at the Rue de Charonne in Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015.Lic Venance—AFP/Getty Images
France Paris Attacks
A pair of abandoned shoes seen left in the street near the Bataclan concert hall the morning after a series of deadly attacks in Paris, Nov. 14, 2015. Charles Platiau—Reuters
France Paris Attacks
Flowers and candles are placed in tribute outside Le Carillon bar, in Paris, on Nov. 14, 2015. Antoine Antoniol—Getty Images

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Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com